Just A Taste — Restaurant in City of Ithaca

This place is very popular and I can see why. My understanding is that the tapas menu changes daily so dishes that I review might not be available on your visit. First things first, the place feels good and the staff are friendly, helpful and efficient. There were five of us and we ordered a total of 11 dishes from the tapas menu. I was unfamiliar with this type of restaurant so forgive me if I say something that elicits a "duh" on your part. The dishes come out in spurts maybe as many as three at a time. This gives you time to pass the dishes around so that everyone can get a portion and begin tasting. I tried every dish and they were all very good with some that I thought deserve special mention. I loved the spicy coconut chicken wings and the brie. The madiera chicken, spicy shrimp and a second shrimp dish, which I cannot remember the name, were also exceptional. There should be at least a couple of dishes for anyone's taste and everything is tasty and fresh. My only regret is that my son is a senior at Cornell and I will not have many...

The only reason that I did not give it one star was because the wine and the food were delicious. The food is always so delicious!!

Where does this review come from? The service.

It was 30 minutes before our server checked in on us. She made a point to get a table seated (two feet away from us), taken care of, check-in on them 4 times (we counted), AND serve them dessert ALL BEFORE clearing our stacked plates.

The kicker? They were seated after us.

I am in my mid-twenties; my partner is in her mid-twenties; my best friend is in her mid twenties.

The table we were talking about above? They were middle-aged.

This is the THIRD time we've experienced this. We are VERY good tippers, but because we we are young, we're assumed to be cheap.

I would be forgiving. But the THIRD time? After we have tipped so well the previous times we've been here (because we've all worked service jobs), you'd think they would change their stereotypes. Nope.

Basically if you are going to this restaurant, make sure you look like you're gonna tip a lot, or else they won't...

I have loved this restaurant since it opened while I lived in Ithaca. Now I live far enough away I only get to go there once every few years when passing through town.

Last weekend was the first time since my son was a baby we have had the chance to go. He is six now and is often a little skeptical of new foods although he is not generally a very picky eater. His review of Just a Taste? Some of his best comments:

"That bread, that focacia bread, is the best bread, can we have some at home?" "I have never had pumpkin icecream and now I like it almost more than chocolate." And my absolute favorite "They make their shrimp better than perfect."

All of the six adults and my 21 month old loved it too of course. Including a comment from my husband who is usually pretty reserved in his compliments that the scallops "Litterally melted in my mouth". Needless to say we had to get extra orders of the scallops and shrimp.

For me, it was a nostalgic and gastronomic treat and as good as I remember,...